Gateshead player-boss Paul Proudlock today dropped a broad hint that he is about to enter the transfer market when he admitted: "Perhaps the squad needs freshening up."

Gateshead player-boss Paul Proudlock today dropped a broad hint that he is about to enter the transfer market when he admitted: "Perhaps the squad needs freshening up."

Proudlock will be without suspended keeper Adrian Swan when Redditch come to the North East in the FA Cup first round a week tomorrow.

And he has still to decide whether to stick with stand-in Graeme Waind or bring in a new face.

Proudlock, whose more immediate target is victory at home to Colwyn Bay in a UniBond Premier match tomorrow, said: "I gave the players a good talking-to in midweek even though we beat West Auckland 4-2 in the Durham Challenge Cup. We gifted them two goals late on.

"I'm always looking for players better than the ones we've got and there are a few irons in the fire."

With leaders Burton Albion on FA Cup duty, Gateshead have a great chance this weekend to put some pressure on at the top.

Proudlock insisted: "We must make sure we do the business tomorrow. We are in touch with the top, but we cannot afford to slip up."